MasalaBear Blog

Cooking tips, regional cuisine deep-dives, and the stories behind India's beloved dishes

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Kashmiri rogan josh mutton curry in a traditional copper handi with tender lamb pieces, deep ruby-red oil-glossed gravy, saffron threads and cardamom pods scattered around
Featured
Regional CuisineCulture History

Kashmiri Rogan Josh: The Complete Guide to Kashmir's Iconic Lamb Curry

Real Kashmiri rogan josh isn't what most restaurants serve. A deep guide to the two Kashmiri traditions, why it's red without being spicy, and how to cook it properly.

MasalaBear TeamMasalaBear Team
April 17, 202611 min read

Latest Articles

A light Indian meal of grilled tandoori chicken, dal, salad, and roti on a plate
Main Course

Low Calorie Indian Food: 20 Light, Healthy Dishes

Indian food has a reputation for being heavy - but a lot of it is naturally light. Here are the low-calorie Indian dishes to order and cook, plus the simple swaps that cut the calories.

July 6, 20266 min read
Soft leavened naan next to a stack of thin whole-wheat roti on a dark surface
Bread Roti

Naan vs Roti: What's the Difference?

Naan or roti with your curry tonight? One is a rich, leavened restaurant bread; the other is the everyday whole-wheat staple. Here's how they differ and when to use each.

July 6, 20267 min read
Two bowls of green paneer curry side by side - bright green palak paneer and darker rustic saag paneer
Main Course

Saag Paneer vs Palak Paneer: What's the Difference?

They look almost identical on the menu, but saag paneer and palak paneer aren't the same dish. The difference is which greens go in the pot - and it changes everything.

July 6, 20266 min read
An overhead spread of many Indian breads including naan, roti, paratha, puri, and dosa
Bread Roti

Types of Indian Bread: 15 You Should Know

Naan is just the beginning. From everyday roti to flaky paratha, puffy bhatura, and crispy dosa, here are the types of Indian bread - what they are, how they're made, and how to eat them.

July 6, 20266 min read
A butter chicken dinner spread with naan, basmati rice, raita, and salad on a table
Main Course

What to Serve With Butter Chicken: 15 Perfect Sides

You've made the butter chicken - now what goes with it? From the right naan and rice to a cooling raita and fresh salad, here's how to build the perfect butter chicken meal.

July 6, 20265 min read
Traditional clay pot filled with golden caramel-colored Bengali mishti doi topped with pistachio shavings, warm wooden surface
Regional CuisineCulture History

Mishti Doi: A Complete Guide to Bengal's Caramelized Sweet Yogurt

Mishti doi is Bengal's caramelized sweet yogurt — silky, jaggery-kissed, and set in porous clay pots. A complete guide to its history, the three sugars, and why earthen vessels matter.

April 17, 202610 min read
Overhead flat-lay of six bowls of regional pani puri water in vibrant green, amber, and yellow on dark slate, with scattered puri shells and mint leaves
Regional CuisineGuides

Pani Puri Water: A Regional Guide to India's Most Loved Street Snack

From Mumbai's minty teekha to Kolkata's sweet-tangy phuchka water, pani puri water changes personality across India. A regional guide to the spiced waters that make the snack.

April 17, 202610 min read
Classic North Indian rajma chawal on a steel plate — deep red-brown kidney bean curry beside a mound of basmati rice with raw onion, coriander, green chili, and lemon wedge
Regional CuisineGuides

Rajma Chawal: A Complete Guide to North India's Ultimate Comfort Bowl

Rajma chawal is the Sunday lunch that defines North Indian home cooking. A complete guide to bean varieties, regional styles, and the slow-cook technique that makes it legendary.

April 17, 202612 min read
Assortment of colorful Indian curries in traditional serving bowls
Guides

12 Best Indian Curry Recipes: Rich, Flavorful Dishes from Every Region

From creamy butter chicken to fiery Chettinad pepper chicken, these 12 Indian curry recipes showcase the best of regional cooking. Tested by home cooks, ready for your kitchen.

January 2, 20268 min read
Cross-section of a Dubai chocolate bar showing layers of green pistachio cream, golden crispy kataifi, and chocolate coating
Recipes

Dubai Chocolate Recipe: How to Make the Viral Pistachio Knafeh Chocolate Bar

The viral Dubai chocolate bar broke the internet in 2024. Crispy kataifi, creamy pistachio, tahini, and chocolate - here's everything you need to know to make it at home.

December 30, 20259 min read
Keto-friendly Indian dishes including butter chicken, palak paneer, and tandoori chicken without rice or naan
Guides

Keto Indian Food: Complete Guide to Low-Carb Indian Dishes

Think you can't eat Indian food on keto? You're wrong. Most curries are naturally low-carb - you just need to skip the rice. Complete guide to keto-friendly Indian dishes.

December 30, 202510 min read
Crispy bread chicken cutlets from Farah Khan Fun With Farah YouTube show
Recipes

Bread Chicken Recipe: Farah Khan's Viral Cutlets from Fun With Farah

Learn how to make the viral bread chicken cutlets from Farah Khan's YouTube show featuring Bigg Boss 19's Farrhana Bhatt. This trending recipe blends fried bread, chicken, and spinach into crispy cutlets.

December 23, 20257 min read
Smartphone showing MasalaBear recipe app surrounded by colorful Indian spices and a steaming curry dish
Community

Share Your Recipes Without Starting a Food Blog

Want to publish your recipes online without the hassle of running a blog? Learn how recipe communities let you share, get credit, and skip the SEO grind.

December 20, 20256 min read
Traditional carrot halwa (gajar ka halwa) in a brass bowl
Cooking TipsRecipes

Carrot Halwa Recipe Guide: 4 Methods Compared (Traditional to 15-Minute)

Learn how to make carrot halwa (gajar ka halwa) 4 ways — traditional, condensed milk, Instant Pot & microwave. Find the right method for you + community recipes.

December 19, 20259 min read
Overhead view of long slender basmati rice grains and shorter plump jasmine rice grains on a wooden cutting board
Ingredient Guides

Basmati vs Jasmine Rice: Which is Better for Indian Food?

Using jasmine rice for biryani? Here's why it won't work. Compare basmati vs jasmine rice: texture, aroma, cooking methods, and which one Indian dishes actually need.

December 14, 202511 min read
Two wooden spoons with yellow curry powder and brown garam masala side by side
Ingredient Guides

Curry Powder vs Garam Masala: Key Differences & When to Use Each

Most Indian home cooks don't use curry powder at all. Learn the real difference between curry powder and garam masala, and why you're probably using them wrong.

December 14, 202512 min read
Side by side comparison of golden ghee in a jar and butter on a dish
Ingredient Guides

Ghee vs Butter: What's the Difference? (Complete Guide)

Butter burns at 350°F. Ghee stays stable to 485°F. That's why your tadka keeps failing. Complete guide to ghee vs butter: when to use each and how to make ghee at home.

December 14, 202510 min read
Side by side comparison of butter chicken and chicken tikka masala in bowls
Culture History

Butter Chicken vs Tikka Masala: What's the Difference?

Butter chicken and tikka masala look similar but have different origins, ingredients, and flavors. Learn the key differences and which one to make tonight.

December 10, 20257 min read
Traditional biryani in a handi pot with saffron rice and herbs
Culture History

Regional Biryani Guide

Explore India's most beloved rice dish through its regional variations - from the robust Hyderabadi to the delicate Lucknowi, each biryani tells a story of its land.

December 8, 20257 min read
Whole spices sizzling in hot oil in a pan
Cooking Tips

The Science of Spice Blooming

Discover why toasting spices in hot oil transforms their flavor, and master this essential Indian cooking technique that separates good dishes from great ones.

December 5, 20255 min read
Colorful Indian spices arranged on a wooden board
Culture History

Welcome to the MasalaBear Blog

Introducing our new blog where we'll share cooking tips, explore regional Indian cuisines, and tell the stories behind your favorite dishes.

December 1, 20254 min read